The January 31 deadline for nations to submit their emissions reduction pledges has passed, but the UN feels that it may not be enough to keep the Earth’s temperature from rising beyond the approximately two-degree target temperature established during the Copenhagen climate conference held in December. Fifty-five nations, including China, the US, India, as well as the European Union, have submitted their goals in reducing emissions. Together they produce about 78 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and have varying commitment letters pledging to reduce emissions anywhere from 17 percent to 45 percent by 2020. Developed countries also made commitments supporting financial assistance to less developed countries to adapt to climate change. Despite the efforts being made by nations worldwide, some analysts believe that efforts have fallen short as a result of emissions not being cut enough and the lack of a legally binding treaty. Regardless of both the positive and negative reviews, UN climate chief Yvo de Boer believes that the pledges sent in by the January 31 deadline should at least help to reinvigorate negotiations toward a stronger agreement on climate and hopes that a more binding pact can be completed at the UN climate conference in Mexico City at the end of this year.

12 days til Valentine's Day! There are only twelve days to Valentine’s Day and you still don’t have chocolate to give to that special someone. What are you going to do? Luckily, Drexelius chocolate is here to help! Drexelius serves up some of the most delicious chocolates around. If your love is anything like me, they’ll love the Divine Dark Gift Set. Or try something a little more romantic with the Chocolate and Wine Pairing Kit. Perhaps you’d rather have what Best Life Magazine calls the Best Chocolate on the Planet. Drexelius has made its entire operations carbon neutral through a partnership with Carbonfund.org. Further, Molly Drexelius explains that “our chocolate makers not only make delicious chocolate, but work hard to create a better environment, living and future for the cacao farmers and our world.” So pick up some Valentine’s Day treats at Drexelius chocolates today. If you use Carbonfund.org’s exclusive promo code “DCLOVECF” you’ll get 15% off your first order! (Offer expires 2/14/2010.)

Following on the heels of Obama’s State of the Union Address, the White House announced that the federal government is taking steps to cut its energy use and reduce its heat-trapping, greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent by 2020. The government, the largest user of energy resources in the country, would save $8 to $11 billion in energy costs over the course of the next decade. Federal agencies are beginning to invest in clean energy technologies, such as tapping landfills for renewable energy, putting energy management systems in government buildings, and replacing older vehicles with more fuel efficient hybrid models. “As the largest energy consumer in the United States, we have a responsibility to American citizens to reduce our energy use and become more efficient,” President Obama said in a statement encouraging job creation and pollution reduction technologies. For a full list of agencies and their plans to reduce pollution and increase efficiency visit: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/20100128-ceq-agency-stories.pdf

13 days til Valentine's Day! Impress your sweetie this Valentine’s Day with a thoughtful, green gift from CarbonFree® Partner Soul Flower.  Soul Flower is a retail mail order and online store that focuses on clothing and eco-friendly goods for the entire family. A “lifestyle” store with an emphasis on products that are made from organic cotton or hemp, the clothing and goods that come from Soul Flower are primarily from Fair Trade^TM companies, made in cooperatives, or are from small independent businesses in the USA.  They have been a CarbonFree® Partner since 2006 and have worked with us during that time to offset the emissions related to their business operations by supporting our renewable energy projects. Soul Flower offers everything from funky clothing for women and men to cool duds for little buds. My recommendation?  Go for one of their organic printed tees or hip hats.  For more great gift ideas, or to check out their goods for yourself, visit: www.soul-flower.com.

The new EnviroCitizen.org - an online green community offering information and products for sustainable lifestyles - has partnered with Carbonfund.org to make it easy for shoppers to purchase eco-friendly products and also reduce their carbon footprint. EnviroCitizen.org supports our Truck Stop Electrification and New Bedford Landfill Gas-to-Energy projects. With products like cleaning supplies, furniture, personal care items, building supplies and much more, EnviroCitizen.org is committed to assisting individuals and businesses choose products that will help them live more lightly on the earth so that we can leave the earth in a better state for each future generation. EnviroCitizen.org offers a comprehensive array of eco-friendly products and services available today. Their team works every day to bring them to you, provide ideas, and help you choose a greener lifestyle. You will also find useful and interesting information on EnviroCitizen.org and a forum to help you engage with others to learn and share new ideas. Visit www.envirocitizen.org!

Carbonfund.org partner, Colorado Lending Source, has helped Colorado’s small businesses obtain development loans for nearly 20 years. Now for the third consecutive year, they have done this CarbonFree®. By investing in Carbonfund.org’s reforestation projects, CLS has offset its carbon footprint and has taken other steps as well to reduce its footprint. CLS has also implemented a variety of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact. CLS gives its employees Eco Passes, encouraging them to opt for public transit and webinars. It has also reduced energy use in-house through a variety of programs, such as turning out its lights for an hour in the Lights Out Lunch program, using motion detector lights to conserve energy in offices, and encouraging its employees to recycle. To learn more and view their resources, you can visit their website at: www.coloradolendingsource.org.

Last night's State of the Union address by President Obama covered a lot of ground over the course of the 71 minute speech. One of the main pillars that helped to get President Obama elected in the first place, a commitment to clean energy and reducing US greenhouse gas emissions, was a focal point for the President in the address. The President stressed the need for Congress to take action on climate change to reduce emissions and also remain competitive in the international marketplace and help create jobs here in the US.

[T]o create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives... And yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.

President Obama tried to reframe the climate legislation awaiting action in Congress in terms of clean energy and jobs, particularly as some observers have deemed the legislation stalled for the time being. It's true that investing in clean energy will create new jobs in construction, manufacturing, installation, as well as research and development. With our nation still in economic recovery, climate legislation can help re-invigorate and re-energize our economy and should be a focus for Congress and the White House.

Please welcome our newest CarbonFree^® Partner: KidBean.com!  They specialize in earth and labor-friendly children's products with a heavy emphasis on US-made items. KidBean.com's mission is to make a difference in the world by educating people about the health, environmental, and social benefits of sustainably-produced, fair labor, vegan products for babies and children. From its inception, KidBean.com has been deeply committed to ethical and sustainable business practices.  All products are researched using the company's proprietary review process to ensure the life cycle of all products is environmentally friendly. Says founder Melissa Zenz, "I'm always looking for ways to further lessen the environmental footprint of KidBean.com, so I'm very excited to be working with Carbonfund.org."  Her partnership is offsetting 35 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from nearly 4,000 gallons of gasoline consumed.  Her contribution is "a vital part of countering this footprint," she adds. For more information on KidBean.com's eco-friendly products or their environmental initiatives, please visit: KidBean.com.